Friends of Galveston Island State Park is a non-profit corporation founded by a group of concerned park neighbors in February, 2001. (About half of the state parks in Texas have similar groups formed to assist and promote the mission and activities of their park.)
Board meetings, which the public is encouraged to attend, are held the first Wednesday of every month at 3 p.m. The general membership meeting is held annually in February.
Two thousand acres of surf, beach, dunes, coastal prairie, fresh-water ponds,
wetlands and bay shoreline just "down the Island" from the city invite
both quiet contemplation and recreation. The park is a richly diverse preserve
and hundreds of species of wildlife thrive here - spoonbills resting in an oak
mott, tree frogs croaking out a mating call, skimmers nesting in the newly terraced
wetlands, egrets fishing the ponds, coyotes prowling the nighttime grassland,
sandpipers skittering in the surf, pelicans surveying from high above. For recreation
visitors swim and sun on the beach, hike the miles of trails (with two observation
towers), kayak and canoe the wetlands, fish the bay or surf. 
Though even an hour’s visit can refresh, an overnight stay at campgrounds fronting on the beach or bay offers rewards of a star-filled night and the soothing sound of water meeting the shore. The park is also a science laboratory for naturalists and students of marsh ecology, bird migration, shoreline stability and wildlife habitat. There is an interpretive center and a ranger on staff who guides hikes and helps with science projects. But gaps in funding create a critical need for friends to help with preservation and enhancement of the park’s natural environment and to provide enriching experiences and educational programs. That is the mission of Friends of Galveston Island State Park. Please join us in accomplishing our mission.
Whatever your interest or expertise, we can put you or your donation to work. Each identified need requires planning, funding and hands-on volunteer effort. The support of members, businesses, foundations, and community groups will enable Friends of Galveston Island State Park to fill the gap between the park’s needs and resources.
Copyright © 2006 Friends of Galveston Island State Park. All rights reserved. Last updated July 5, 2006.